Combination ladder and fruit lowerer



April 1958 E. H. WARNER 2,829,814

COMBINATION LADDER AND FRUIT LOWERER Filed Aug. 2, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1IN V ENTOR ATTORNEY ERNEST h. WARNER April s, 1958 E. H. WARNER FiledAug. 2, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 77: im i I. 270-5 112/3! li 72 5- 9 7!;m 5-15? f3 5 2 5e, 205 99 E o 6 I .I'III'I'II 89 207 80 9 Z 82 4e 84 66W m 33 2.4 5 AP? 4 Fig. 8

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' INVENTOR ER/VEST H. WARNER ATTORNEY April 8, 1958 E. H. WARNERCOMBINATION LADDER AND FRUIT LOWERER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 2, 1954INVENTOR El -WEST H. WARNER gygofi/n Q ATTORNEY April 1958 E. H. WARNERCOMBINATION LADDER AND FRUIT LOWERER 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Aug. 2, 1954INVENTOR ERNEST H. WARNER ATTORNEY United StatesPatent O COMBINATIONLADDER AND FRUIT LOWERER Ernest H. Warner, Nova, Ohio Application August2, 1954, Serial No. 447,291

3 Claims. (Cl. 228-1) The present invention relates to a combinationladder and fruit lowerer and has for an object the provision of a deviceof this kind which is capable of being quickly and easily transported toits place of use and firmly held against accidental displacementtherefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure ofthis character in which the mast or ladder can be quickly adjusted tovarious heights and inclinations within the limits of the device withrespect to a tree.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a device ofthis type means under the control of the workman for permitting theworkman to change his position with respect to the tree independently ofthe mast adjustment.

A still further object of the present invention is to pro= vide adevice. of this kind in which the mast and the operator supportingmember carried by the mast can be collapsed to substantially flatcondition upon the base or supporting platform in order to facilitatethe movement of the device from place to place.

The present invention aimsto provide a combination ladder and fruitlowerer in which means are provided for holding the operator supportingmember in its adjusted position on the mast.

The present invention also aims to provide a device of this type intowhich means are incorporated for adjusting the device to compensate foruneven terrain.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a device of thischaracter in which the mast is detachably mounted on the base and meansare provided for retaining. the mast against accidental removal fron'ithe base.

The present-invention also contemplates the provision of a combinationladder and fruit lowerer which can be operated easily by one man and bythe use of which an increased number of boxes of fruit can be picked ina given time as compared to the old method and means.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will behereinafter more fully described and more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings in which the same parts are denoted by the samereference numerals throughout the several views,

Figure l is a side elevational view of a device con structed inaccordance with the present invention and shown in one of its raisedoperative positions and with parts broken away and parts in section,

Figure 2 is a rear elevationalview of the same,

Figure 3 is a side. elevational view of the device in loweredinoperative position ready to be rnoved to a new location,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the same with parts broken away,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line =-5 of Figure4,

Figur'e'G is an enlarged fragmentary .elevational view of the elevatoror operator supporting member,

2,829,814 Patented Apr. 1958 Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on theline 7-7 of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 1,- i IFigure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the lowering chute, and

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Figure9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 generally indicates abase frame comprising a transversely extending rear axle housing 11, apair of side pieces 12 and intermediate transverse braces 13 and 14.

The side pieces 12 are made of hollow tubing 01' solid rods and havetheir rear ends secured as by welding 200 or the like to the housing 11adjacent its opposite ends. From their points of attachment to thehousing the side pieces extend forwardly in converging relation and theforward end portions 12a of the side pieces converge more sharply andhave their forward end' portions joined by a connecting member 15.

A post 16 has its upper end secured as by welding 201 or the like to theconnecting member 15 and its lower end carries a foot 17 from whichdepends a pair of prongs 18 for penetrating the ground and a flat groundengaging surface 19. A split ring 20 has its free end secured by welding202 or the like to the portions 12a of the side pieces 12, indicated at21. The brace 13 has its opposite ends secured by welding 203 or thelike to the pieces 12 and portions 12a at their points of juncture andthe opposite ends of the brace 14 are connected in a similar mannertothe pieces 12.

An axle 22 extends through and is supported by the housing 11 and hasits opposite end portions projecting beyond the opposite ends of thehousing. Each of the projecting end portions of the axle 22 has fixedthereto a ground wheel 23. Means are associated with each wheel foradjusting the device to compensate for unevenness of the ground and toprevent accidental movement of the device when in use. Each of thesemeans comprises a standard 24 which may be in the form of a rack barhaving a foot 25 for engaging the ground 26 and each foot 25 may have apair of prongs 27 for penetrating the ground and a flat ground engagingsurface 28.

Each standard may be non-circular in cross section, for example, squareor rectangular, and has a set of vertically arranged teeth 29 extendingfrom one side thereof.

A gear box, generally indicated at 30, is associated with each standard24 and is secured to the adjacent portions of the housing 11 by welding204 or the like. Each gear box comprises an elongated guide portion 31having a through bore 32 of a size and shape substantially conforming tothat of the standard 24 to permit vertical sliding movement 'of'thestandard in the guide portion, but to prevent rotation thereof. Eachgear box also comprises an ofiset portion 33 housing a pinion 34 whichcooperates with the teeth 29 of its associated standard to comprise arack and pinion arrangement for the raising and lowering of the feet 25.

Each pinion 34 is fixed to and rotated by an adjusting rod 35 whichextends through suitable aligned open ings in the front and rear wallsof the olfset portion 33.

Each rod 35 extends forwardly above its associated side piece 12 througha suitable opening in a supporting guide 36 which is carried by itsassociated side piece and extends through a suitable opening in theadjacent enlarged end portion 37 of a cross bar 38 which extends overand is secured to the forward end portions 12a. The forward end portionof each ,rodterrninates adjacent the forward end of the device in acrank handle 39.

In order to hold each standard 24 in its adjusted position, an arm 40secured to each side piece 12 by weld 3 ing 205 or the like extendsoutwardly therefrom and terminates in an enlarged free end portion 41provided with an aperture through which the adjacent rod rotatablyextends. A pinion 42 is rotatably carried by the enlarged portion 41 ofeach arm and is fixed to its rod 35. A lever 43 is pivotally mounted asat 44 interrnediate its ends to each arm and at one end carries a pawl45 which cooperates with the pinion 42 to prevent rotation of the rod ina direction to effect raising of the standard 24. g V

I The opposite end portion 46 of the lever 43 is enlarged and has alower flat bearingsurface 47 from which depends a guide pin 48, thelower endportion of which extends through the horizontal flange of anangle iron shaped 'bracket 49. A coil spring 50 encircles the pin andhas its opposite ends engaging the bearing surface 47 of the lever 43and the" horizontal flange of the bracket 49 to urge the end portion 46of the' lever 43 up- A pair of brackets or lugs 53 are secured as bywelding 206 or the like to the upper faces of the side pieces 12, theportions 12a and the brace 13 at their points of juncture. The bracketsare spaced apart and each has a vertical series of rearwardly openingrecesses 54 formed therein for removably and selectively receiving theopposite end portions of a pivot pin 55'carried by the runners 56 of amast or ladder generally indicated-at 57. In order to retain the endportions of thepivot pin 55 within the recesses 54 of the brackets 53, alocking cap 58 is removably associated with each bracket 53. Eachlocking cap 58 remova-bly fits over its bracket and comprises a pair ofside walls 59 joined by end walls 60 to define a space for the receptionof the bracket 53. Each side wall has a downwardly opening socket 61therein defined by a pair of legs 62 as can be seen in Figure 1 of thedrawings. .When the locking cap 58 is slid down over the bracket andpivot pin 55 with the legs 62 straddling the pin, one of the legs 62 ofeach pair of legs will prevent the pin 55 from accidently escaping fromthe recess 54 in the bracket 53.- However,.when it is desired toseparate the mast 57 from the base frame 10, the caps 58 may be slidupwardly until the legs 62 are clear of the pivot pin 55. The runners 56of themast 57 may be of channel shape in cross section having verticalflanges 56a, bottom horizontal flanges 56b and top horizontal flanges56c and the vertical flanges or closed sides face outwardly and theiropen mouths face inwardly. The runners are joined together and braced bya series of longitudinally spaced apart rungs or braces 63 andextendrearwardly from their points of pivotal attachment to the brackets 53.

A yoke, generally indicated at 64, comprises a pair of arms 65 and 65having flat straight portions 66 and 66', converging portions '67 and67' disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the portions 66 and66 and straight flat free end portions 68 and 68'. The flat portions 66and 66' engage the outer faces of the vertical flanges 56a of therunners 56 adjacent the upper end thereof and have suitable openings forreceiving therethrough the. opposite screw threaded end portions of arod 69 upon which nuts 70 are removably threaded to removably hold theyoke upon the ladder 57. In order to help secure the yoke in position,pins 71 are carried by the vertical flanges 56a of the runners and areextended through suitable openings formed in the arms-65 and 65'. Theend portions 68 and 68' of the yoke are spaced apart and receivetherebetween a pulley 72 mounted on an axle 73 which extends throughsuitable hQkS n th about as at 99.

portions 68 and 68 and a cable guide 74 is mounted on the extendedportions of the axle.

A cable 75 is entrained over the pulley 72 and the free end portion ofthe lower run of the cable is secured to a bail 76, the opposite endportions of which are secured in any suitable manner to the oppositesides 77 of a gear box 78. The sides 77 of the gear box are joined by abottom 80 which is secured to the sides by welding 207 or the like. Thelowerend portion of each side 77 is bent outwardly at substantiallyright angles to form a guide flange 81 which is received in the spaceddefined by the horizontal flange 560 of the runner 56 and the horizontalfiange'82 of an elongated guide member 83 of angle iron shape in,cross;section, tlre vertical flange 84 of which is secured to the innerface of the vertical flange 56a of the runner 56. The lower end of theguide space is closed by an abutment 5601 which is secured to therunners 56 and the guide member 83. p The oppositeend portion of thecable 75 is secured to a drum 85 about which the cable is adapted to bewound and unwound. The drum 85 has a square shaped bore therethroughwhich frictionally receives the intermediate square shaped portion of ashaft 89 having its opposite end portions rounded and extending intosuitable openings in gear frame or retaining walls 77a and 77b welded at208 to a cross brace 118 and the bottom 80 of the gear box 78 so thatthe drum 85 is rotatably supported by the walls 77a and 77 b. a

A large gear wheel 91 is fixed to one end portion of the shaft 89 by apin 92 which extends through a suitable hole in the hub 93 of the wheel91. On the other portion of the shaft-8'9 there is fixed thereon a brakedrum 94 partially encircled by a brake band 95, one end of which isanchored to the adjacent wall 77a by being looped as at 96 about afastening element 97 which is secured to the adjacent wall' 77a.- Theopposite end of the band is secured to a pin 98 by being looped there-The pin 98 rides in an arcuate shaped slot 100 formed in the adjacentwall 77a to guide it in its movements when depressed by the foot of theoperator. The pin 98 returns to its inoperative position undertheinfiuence of a spring 101.

The large gear wheel 91 meshes with a smaller gear wheel 104 fixed by apin-105 which extends through a suitable opening in the hub 106 of thewheel 104 to a crank shaft 107 having a pair ofspaced apart crank pedals108. The opposite end portions of the crank shaft extend through andbeyond the sides 77 of the gear box a secured by welding 209 or the liketo the lower end pertions of an inverted substantially U-shaped framemember 114 of a fruit box, generally indicated at 115. Each crank pedal108 is separate from the main portion of the shaft 107 and is detachablysecured thereto by providing a screw threaded socket in each end of theshaft 107 for receiving a screw 107a which extends through a suitableopening in the crank pedal 108.

The frame member comprises a pair of downwardly extending slightlydiverging legs 116 and an arcuate shaped connecting portion 117 joiningthe upper ends of the legs. The lower end portions of the legs 116 aresubstantially parallel and are secured to the inner faces of the sides77 of the gear box by welding 210 or the like. The cross brace 118 'hasits opposite ends secured to the legs 116. A second frame member,generally indicated at 119, is spaced rearwardly from the frame member114 and is of substantially the same shape as the frame member114'havingan ar'cuate shaped connecting portion 120 and downwardly extendingdiverging legs 121, the lower end portions of which are substantiallyparallelto one another and are secured by welding 211 or the like to theinner faces of the sides 77 of the gear box. A cross brace 122 issecured to the lower end portions of the legs 121 and carries a hook123'. The hook is pivotally mounted on the cross brace by an eye 124andextends therefrom outwardly through the adjacent open end of the gearbox and terminates in a bent free end portion 125 for selectivelyengaging a rung 63 of the ladder 57 for assisting the brake band 95 inholding the gear box and fruit box in its adjusted position on theladder.

The fruit box also comprises a covering, generally indicated at 126,having a substantially arcuate shaped top 127 conforming to the shapeand size of the connecting portions 117 and 126 of the frame members andsecured thereto in any appropriate manner, downwardly extendingconverging side walls 128 and a substantially arcuate shaped bottom 129of smaller radius than that of the top 127. The legs 116 and 121 of theframe members extend through suitable openings formed in the covering atpoints Where the top and side walls of the covering join one another.The lower or discharge end 130 of the covering 126 is open and thebottom 129 is inclined towards the top 127 as it approaches the opendischarge end 130.

The open discharge end of the covering is closed during the fruitpicking operation by a skirt 131 which may be made of some flexible butsturdy material, such as, canvas. One open end portion of the skirt 131encircles the discharge end portion of the covering 126 and is heldthereon by a clamping ring 132 having apertured ears 133 for receiving ascrew threaded bolt and wing nut 134 so that the clamping ring may betightly clamped around the skirt and discharge end portion of thecovering.

The other open end portion of the skirt 131 will be gathered as at 131aand inserted into a clamping device, generally indicated at 135, whichcomprises an L-shaped lever 136 pivotally connected adjacent one end asat 137 to the free end portion of the horizontal leg of an L-shapedbracket 138. The horizontal leg of the lever 136 extends over thehorizontal leg of the bracket in spaced apart parallel relation theretoand its free end portion is provided with a suitable opening forreceiving the upper screw threaded portion 139 of the vertical leg ofthe bracket. A nut 140 is received by the screw threaded portion 139 sothat the lever 136 can be brought into frictional engagement with thegathered portion 131a of the skirt to securely clamp the gatheredportion of the skirt in closed condition within the clamping device.

The upper or inlet end of the covering 126 is closed by a wall 141provided with an opening 142 which frictionally supports a funnel 143having a flared month 144 through which the picked fruit may be insertedinto the fruit box 115. An outwardly facing shoulder 142a engages aportion of the inner end of the funnel 143 to help support it. In orderto prevent the fruit from becoming bruised upon entering the fruit box,a series of interrupters 145 are disposed in the downward path of travelof the fruit from the funnel towards the skirt 131.

These interrupters are secured to enlarged end portions 146 which arewelded as at 212 to supporting bars 147, the opposite ends of which aresecured to the side walls 128 of the covering 126. The interrupters areformed of a material, such as rubber or the like, that is of such acharacter that they will flex to the dotted line position shown inFigure 6 of the drawings under the influence of the descending fruit,but are capable of automatically returning to the full line position ofFigure 6 when relieved of the influence of the fruit. The interruptersare of. such a size and shape that their freeedges engage the side walls128 and bottom 129 of the covering 126 so that the fruit cannot passfreely between the side walls and bottom and the free edges of theinterrupters.

{In Figures 9 and 10 is shown a fruit picker 148 which may be attachedto the funnel 143. The picker comprises a tubular member 149 of flexiblematerial, such as canvas or the like. A reinforcing ring 150 is carriedby the lower end portion of the tubular member by folding the free endportion of the member over the ring and stitching the folded overportion to the tubular member as at 151. The upper end portion of thetubular member is flared outwardly, the flare being greater on one sidethan the other as indicated at 152. A substantially V- shaped in crosssection knife 153 of metal or the like is mounted in the flared upperend portion of the tubular member and comprises a cutting plate 154having a Vshaped cutting notch 155, a downwardly and inwardly inclinedside wall 156 and a depending flange 157 forming a reinforcing ring. Theupper end portion of the tubular member is shaped to the knife 153 andthe corre sponding parts of the knife and upper end portion of thetubular member are secured together in any suitable manner, such as byadhesive or the like.

It will be noted that the upper end portion of the tubular memberterminates short of the cutting edge of the knife plate 154 so as not tointerfere with the cutting of the fruit stern by the knife. In order toprevent the fruit from striking the hard metal surface of the side wall156 and ring 157, a layer 158 of material, such as canvas or the like,is secured to the side wall and ring by a suitable adhesive and itslower end portion is secured to the tubular member by a row of stitching159. A handle 160 carries at one end a plate 161 which is secured to theside wall 156 of the knife 153 by rivets 162 or the like. Adjacent itsopposite free end, the handle 16% carries a staple 163 and the tubularmember carries a staple 164. A link 165 is pivotally connected to thestaples 163 and 164 by the eyes 166 at opposite ends of the link.

- A seat 167 is adjustably mounted on the upper rearward portion of thefruit box. The seat is secured to a cross bar 168 having an arm 169,depending from each end thereof. A crank shaped link 170 has one endsecured by a rivet 171 or the like to each arm and adjacent its oppositeend it carries a screw threaded guide pin 172 which rides in a curvedslot 173 formed in a plate 174 secured'to the outer faceof the covering.A wing nut 175 is received by each pin 172 and when screwed home bindsagainst the plate 174 to hold the seat in its adjusted position. A brace176 has one end rigidly secured to the seat and its opposite end portionformed into an eye 177 which receives a pivot pin 178 carried by a lug179 secured to the wall 141 of the covering 126.

In order to raise and lower the mast 57, there are provided a pair ofpneumatic devices, generally indicated at 180, each of which comprises apiston 181 working in a cylinder 182 and a piston rod 183 having itslower end connected to the piston and its upper end portion projectingfrom the cylinder. The extreme upper end portion of the piston isflattened as at 184 and is apertured to receive the screw threadedprojecting end portion of a bolt 185 carried by the runners 56 of theladder 57. A nut 186 is received by the threaded projecting end portionof the bolt to detachably secure the piston rod to the ladder 57. Asubstantially L-shaped arm 187 has one leg secured to the bottom of thecylinder by a rivet 188 or the like and its other leg pivota-llyconnected as at 189 to an upstanding bracket 190 which is secured bywelding 213 or the like to the housing 11.

A hand pump 191 which may be a bicycle tire pump or the like is securedto the covering 126 by a pair of clamps 192 adjacent to the seat so thatthe piston rod handle 193 and the relief valve handle 194 are withinconvenient reach of the operator. A hose 195 leads from the lower end ofthe pump cylinder 196 to a com nector 197 which connects the hose 195 totwo branch f 7 hoses 198.. The. branch hoses are connected to the lowerends of the pneumatic cylinders 182.

In the use of the device, assuming that it is in its lowered positionshown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the device will be attached bythe ring 20 to the drawbar of a tractor and transported to the orchardwhere it is to be used. The draw bar will be uncoupled and the feet 25will be brought into engagement with the ground by operating the rods 35so as to level the base frame and to hold the device steady againstaccidental movement. The pneumatic devices 180 will be operated to raisethe mast to the desired height and inclination and the operator willthen mount the seat 167. Operation of the crank shaft 107 by means ofthe pedals 108 will cause the cable 75 to wind upon the drum 85. Thiswill draw the elevator which comprises the gear box and the fruit box upthe mast until the desired position has been attained, for example, thatshown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The operator will press thepin 98 with one foot to apply the brake band 95 to the brake drum 94against the action of the spring 101 to hold the elevator in itsadjusted position. The operator will then pick the fruit and drop itinto the funnel 143 until the covering 126 is filled.

The operator will release the hook 123 from engagement with the bolt 185or the rung 63 with which it is engaged and release the brake and lowerthe elevator by reversing the movement of the crank shaft 107 and gentlyapply the brake so as to lower the supporting means at a safe andreasonable speed. When the elevator has reached the lower end of theladder the abutment 560! will prevent the escape of the elevator fromtherunners 56. A fruit box will be placed upon the base frame 10adjacent the lower end of the covering 126 and the gathered portion 131aof the skirt 131 will be released from the clamping device 135 and thefruit discharged into the fruit box from the covering 126. The gatheredportion 131a will then be replaced in the clamping device and the fruitpicking operation repeated. The inclination of the ladder to thehorizontal may be adjusted between about sixty degrees to eighty-fivedegrees. I When the device is used for picking fruit from trees havingclosely knit limbs, such as the orange tree, in which case it isdiflicult to reach the fruit, the fruit picker 148 may be used. Thelower end of the tubular member 149 is forced into the upper end of thefunnel 143- and due to the ring 150 will have a frictional fit therein.The operator will grasp the handle 160 and move the flared end portionof the member 149 toward the fruit until one of the fruit is disposed inthe open mouth 198 with the stem received by the cutting notch 155.Movement of the member 149 toward the operator will sever the stem andthe'fruit will fall into the covering 126. V

The device can be moved from tree to tree by raising the feet 25 untilthe wheels 23 engage the ground and lifting the foot 17 and rolling thedevice on its wheels 23. When it is desired to move the device toanother orchard, the mast 57 will be lowered by turning the relief valvehandle to open position, nuts 186 removed and the piston rods 183removed from the bolt 185, the locking caps 58 removed and the pivotpins withdrawn from the recesses 54. The ladder 57 will be placed uponthe base frame 10 between the lugs 53 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Oneperson may then move the device by the ring 20 or it may be hitched to atrailer. The locking caps 58 may be replaced on the lugs 53 for safekeeping.

The independent adjustment of the feet 27 will permit leveling of thedevi'ce when it is used on uneven terrain and the pawl 45 and pinion 42latching arrangement will positively hold each foot in its adjustedposition. The post 16 may be made in the form of two telescopic sectionswith a vertical series of holes in one section and a hole in the otheradapted to be brought selectively into registry with the series of holesand a locking pin to be inserted through the registered holes. IIn'addition topicking fruit, the device may be used for many otherpurposes where a ladder is required, such as, in pruning trees.

All of the rigidparts of the device may be made of aluminum or steel orother suitable material.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in thedetails of construction and design of the above specifically describedembodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof,such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of thefollowing claims.

What I claim is:

1. A combination ladder and fruit lowerer comprising supporting means, amast movably carried by said means, means on said supporting means andconnected tosaid mast for moving said mast selectively to variouspositions of elevation between an extreme lowermost position and anextreme elevated position, a support for an operator mounted on saidmast for movement relative thereto, fruit lowerer means carried by saidoperator support, and means for moving said operator supportlongitudinally of the mast comprising a drum rotatably mounted on saidoperator support, a pulley on said mast, a cable entrained over saidpulley and having one end secured to the drum and its other end securedto said operator support, and manually operated means on said operatorsupport for rotating said drum, thereby to cause said cable to'wind uponthe drum and move the operator support along the mast, and brake meanscarried bysaid operator support for preventing rotation of said drum.

2. A combination ladder and fruit lowerer comprising supporting means, amast movably carried by said means, means on said supporting means andconnected to said mast for moving said mast selectively to variouspositions of elevation between an extreme lowermost position and anextreme elevated position, a support for an operator on said mast, fruitlowerer means carried by said operator support, said supporting meanscomprising ground engaging wheels, ground gripping leveling feet on saidsupporting means, means on said supporting means and connected to saidfeet for selectively bringing the wheels and feet into their operativepositions, and cooperating means on said supporting means and feet forindependently adjusting each footwith respect to the supporting means.

3. A combination ladder and fruit lowerer comprising supporting means, amast movably carried by said means, means on said supporting means andconnected to ,said mast for moving said mast selectively to variouspositions of elevation between an extreme lowermost position and anextreme elevated position, a support for an operator on said mast, fruitlowerer means carried by said operator support, said mast removablypivotally mounted on said supporting means, and removable meansretaining said mast pivotally mounted on the supporting means and forpermitting removal of the mast from the supporting means comprising abracket on the supporting means having a socket opening through one edgethereof, a pivot pin on the mast removably received by the socket, and alocking cap removably fitted over the bracket to mask the socket andretain the pivot pin therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

